It is not often that prolonged hot and sunny weather aligns with a bank holiday weekend, but this weekend looks set to deliver exactly that.
High pressure is building across the UK, bringing settled conditions, widespread sunshine and increasingly high temperatures as we move through the next few days. For many, it will feel more like mid-summer than late May, with heat levels likely to challenge records for the time of year.
While the fine weather will be welcomed by those planning outdoor activities, the developing heat will also bring some notable contrasts across the country, particularly between north-western and south-eastern areas.
Friday
High pressure begins to assert its influence through Friday, although the transition to fully settled weather will not be entirely uniform. Weather fronts lingering to the west will bring some cloudier conditions and occasional rain to north-western parts of the UK. These areas, including parts of Northern Ireland and western Scotland, will feel noticeably cooler as a result.
Further south and east, however, conditions will be brighter and warmer, with increasing amounts of sunshine developing through the day. Temperatures here will begin to climb above seasonal averages, setting the stage for a much hotter weekend to come.
High pressure builds this weekend, bringing plenty of fine, settled and very warm weather as temperatures rise ☀️🌡️ pic.twitter.com/vENM4zEX4X
— Met Office (@metoffice) May 21, 2026
Saturday
Saturday will mark the first peak of the heat for many areas, particularly across England and Wales. High pressure will dominate, bringing long spells of sunshine for much of the country. Eastern areas and central parts of the UK are likely to see particularly clear skies for prolonged periods.
Temperatures will rise significantly, with highs reaching around 30°C in the far south-east of England and widely into the high twenties across central and southern regions. In these areas, it will feel very hot in direct sunshine.
In contrast, north-western parts of the UK will remain cooler and somewhat cloudier. Although any rain here is expected to ease through the day, persistent cloud cover will keep temperatures down in the high teens to low twenties.
A key feature of the day will be the noticeable temperature contrast near coasts. Despite inland temperatures approaching or exceeding 30°C in the south-east, coastal areas will be cooler due to sea breezes and relatively cold sea temperatures, with values closer to 20°C.
Sunday
The heat intensifies further on Sunday as high pressure remains firmly in control. Sunshine will again be widespread across much of England, Wales and southern Scotland, while northern and western areas may start the day cloudier before brightening up as the day progresses.
Temperatures will climb even higher, with many areas experiencing very warm or hot conditions. Parts of south-east England are expected to reach around 32°C, with low 30s possible more widely across eastern England.
Elsewhere, Wales and the south coast will see highs in the high twenties, while northern England, Scotland and Northern Ireland will generally range through the low to mid-twenties.
Overall, Sunday is set to be a very hot day for the time of year, with temperatures approaching the May record of 32.8°C.
READ MORE: When was the last time the UK reached 30°C in May?
Looking ahead to Monday
Although outside the core weekend period, the bank holiday Monday is likely to bring the peak of the heat. Temperatures may reach 33°C across parts of southern and central England, with the potential to rival or exceed existing records for late May.
By this stage, the high pressure will have become more dominant across the whole of the UK, allowing even previously cooler north-western areas to experience warmer and sunnier conditions.
Impacts and advice
With such strong sunshine and high temperatures, there are a few important considerations for the weekend. UV levels will be high, and pollen levels are also expected to be very high, which may affect those prone to hay fever.
Coastal areas may offer some relief from the heat, although it is worth noting that sea temperatures remain relatively cold for the time of year. This could lead to a sharp contrast between air and sea temperatures, and anyone entering the water should take appropriate precautions.
Keep up to date with weather warnings, and you can find the latest forecast on our website, on YouTube, by following us on X and Facebook, as well as on our mobile app which is available for iPhone from the App store and for Android from the Google Play store.
